Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-07-28

to take to befrill you for the picnic?"
IF you'll give me ten dollars think
1 can manage the whole matter" re-
piled Kitty. demurely.
well, well. that's getting off cheap
ly." said Mr.. Harrison. laughing, as he
counted out the money. while Mrs. Har-
rison and the sisters looked on in per-
feet amazement well knowing that
Kitty had some plan in her wise little
head, without in the least comprehend
ing what it could be.
'.It's bargain then, papa?" said
Kitty. as she rose to get her port
monnie.
well, yes" replied Mr. Harrison.
rising, and putting on his hat, Il am
to 60 to the picnic with you, ard you
are to go to the party without poster
ing me- for new dresses"
"What in the world are you up to.
Kitty?' said Nell and Polly in chorus,
bouncing upon her as their fathers
footsteps sounded on the gravel out
side, and Kitty threw herself into a
chair, and laughed until the green par
rot in his cage gravely inquired, with
his head on one side: 'Bless me! what
ails the child?"
The picnic morning was a rarity in
the weather line; a perfectly clear sky.
and just breeze enough to be delight
full, and Mr.. Harrison was in rare
good humor also, which was unusual
enough to add materially to the pleas
ures of the day, for. unfortunately, he
could be decidedly grumpy on occa-
sions, but, happily for all concerned,
the preceding day had been a particu-
larly profitable one.
1T appears to me. mother, it takes
those girls an unusual time to prink
this morning." said Mr.. Harrison, look
ing at his watch a little nervously, 1.-THE
train leaves at eight"
They'll be down presently" said
the mother, with a surreptitious smile,
as she packed the sandwiches into one
of the baskets.
At length there was subdued rust
ling on the stairs, and the three girls
filed in dcmurcly, and announced
themselves ready.
What in -" said Mr.. Harrison.
as his eye fell upon them, and seeing
the joke and his own defeat at one
glance, he bit his lip, and left the sem
tence unuttered.
Plain white dresses without ruf1ie.
tuck or overskirt. thick, high boots.
broad toes and no heels, not hoop or
hustle, they were the plainest, prim-
NEST trio of maidens that ever APP
peared before fault-tinding papa.
Nell's bright hair was strained back
from her high forehead. giving her Il
wild, hawkish look under her immense
poke hat, which was adorned with a
long green vail hanging in folds over
one shoulder.
Polly was rs near hideous as posi-
bic, under great limp, sailor hat.
which tapped discontentedly at every
motion, while dainty Kitty's good looks
were effectually buried in the depths of
a generous white sun-bonnet.
your dresses are very becoming.
girls" said Mrs. Harrison, sweetly, as
the youthful grandmothers ranged
themselves in row.
1--WE think So" replied Kitty, SOL
EMMY. IF could only have finished
my black silk apron
"And 1 my handkerchief reticule,''
said Nell.
Don't we look neat, papa?" said
Kitty. turning herself around for his
inspection.
VERY neat" replied Mr.. Harrison.
dryly, turning away to hide smile Of
mingled amusement and vexation.
1--WE quite agree with you, papa.
that so much frippery is all nonsense.
said Nell. arranging her vail carefully.
"And we are counting on creating
quite a sensation at Mrs. Lincoln S
party" said Polly. mischievously. as
she picked out the bow of her muslin
hat strings.
Mr.. Harrison was fairly caught in
his own trap, and his own often re-
peated words came back to him with
rather unpleasant force, as he looked
at his daughters in their un5ecoming
array, and thought of chape roning the
outlandish figures through the day.
He had not before realized how
proud he had been of the genteel
daughters, whose good taste had made
so much of natures charms, and the
scanty supply of pin money. so
grudgingly doled out to them. Not that
Mr.. Harrison's means necessitated
close management, on the contrary, a
steadily increasing bank account made
such economy totally unnecessary,
but, unfortunately, as riches in
creased. iberality shriveled and grew
less. until Mrs. Harrison actually
dreaded to ask him for money to carry
on the household, even upon the most
economical basis.
''How could You let the girls make
such guys of themselves" he said. I'M
easily, to his wife, rs they went out of